“Vt\u 

t.  y. 


C 


A 


SERMON, 


DELIVERED  AT  THE 


NEW  BRICK  MEETING  HOUSE, 


HARTFORD, 

ON  THE  EVENING  OF  MAY  15,  1310; 

At  the  Request  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Missionary 
Society  of  Connecticut. 


BY  EBENEZER  PORTER,  A.  M. 
Pastor  of  a Church  in  Washington. 


HARTFORD : 


PETER  B.  GLEASON,  PRINTER 


1S10. 


it 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


Matthew  vi.  10. 

Thy  kingdom  come. 


It  will  be  perceived  that  this  is  a part  of  that  ex- 
cellent form  of  prayer,  which  Christ  taught  his  disci- 
ples. As  to  matter  and  method,  it  is  a perfect  sum- 
mary of  the  chief  things  which. we  have  to  ask  of  God. 
Perhaps  the  powers  of  language  do  not  admit  that  an- 
other set  of  words  should  be  chosen,  so  comprehen- 
sive, so  evangelical,  and  so  exactly  suited  to  express 
the  feelings  of  a pious  soul,  at  the  throne  of  grace. 

From  early  childhood,  our  lips  have  been  accustom- 
ed to  repeat  the  petition,  “ Thy  kingdom  come.” 
The  business  of  this  evening,  my  brethren,  requires 
that  we  understand  the  meaning  of  this  petition,  and 
that  we  feel  correspondent  affections  of  heart. 

The  kingdom,  for  the  advancement  of  which  we  arc 
especially  to  pray,  is  a kingdom  of  holiness.  It  is  to 
be  set  up  in  the  hearts  of  God’s  chosen  people.  Of 
this  kingdom  God’s  anointed  Son,  is  sole  Lord  and 
Lawgiver.  This  exalted  office  belongs  to  him  by  the 
eternal  gift  and  appointment  of  the  Father,  in  virtue  of 
which  he  is  set  as  “ King  upon  the  holy  hill  of  Zion.” 
It  belongs  to  him  by  purchase,  as  the  price  of  his  own 
blood.  It  belongs  to  him  by  conquest.  By  the  sword 
of  his  spirit,  he  sets  up  his  throne  in  the  hearts  of  the 
redeemed,  and  makes  them  willing  in  the  day  of  his 


4 


power.  The  great  end  of  revelation  is  to  set  before 
us  God  manifest  in  the  flesh,  King  of  righteousness 
and  King  of  peace  : to  teach  us  the  design  of  his  in- 
carnation, the  glories  of  his  person,  the  victories  of  his 
grace,  and  the  tremendous  ruin  that  awaits  his  ene- 
mies. Clothed  in  all  the  attributes  of  divinity,  we  see 
him  assume  the  form  of  a servant,  to  ransom  dying 
sinners.  We  see  him  exalted  from  the  cross  to  the 
throne.  Out  of  Zion  he  sent  forth  the  rod  of  his 
strength.  On  the  same  spot  where  his  sufferings  were 
finished  his  triumphs  began.  There  his  spiritual 
kingdom  commenced,  in  its  visible  glory.  There  the 
first  converts  to  his  gospel  were  made  ; and  thence  his 
apostles  went  forth,  to  publish  its  glad  tidings  through 
the  world.  Such  is  the  King  of  Zion,  who  is  to  reign 
till  all  his  enemies  become  his  footstool  : such  is  his 
kingdom,  which  is  to  rise  and  prosper,  till  the  standard 
of  the  cross  shall  be  planted  in  every  nation,  and  every 
knee  shall  bowf  to  the  name  of  Jesus. 

Let  us  now  consider, 

I.  What  is  implied  in  the  prayer,  “ Thy  kingdom 
come.”  And, 

II.  What  are  our  encouragements  thus  to  pray. 

In  this  short  petition,  we  include  every  thing  which 
concerns  the  preservation  and  spread  of  true  religion 
among  mankind  ; every  thing  which  relates  to  the 
peace,  purity,  and  prosperity  of  the  church  ; the  piety 
of  its  members,  the  fidelity  of  its  ministers,  the  suc- 
cess of  its  ordinances. 

1.  We  pray  for  the  continuance  of  the  blessed  gos- 
pel, where  it  has  been  enjoyed.  True  religion  finds  a 
natural  enemy  in  every  human  heart.  Nothing  but 
the  interposition  of  almighty  power  prevents  its  exile 
from  the  earth.  Whole  countries,  where  the  sun  of  right- 
eousness once  shone,  have  sunk  again  into  the  “ shad- 
ow of  death.”  Infidels  and  heathen  occupy  the  ground 
where  the  apostles  of  the  Lamb  preached  the  everlast- 
ing gospel ; c hurches  which  were  planted  by  their  hands. 


and  watered  with  their  tears  and  blood,  and  which  once 
were  the  glory  of  the  east,  are  now  blotted  out  from 
under  heaven. 

In  our  own  land,  similar  declensions  have  been  wit- 
nessed. Some  of  the  churches,  which  were  gathered 
by  the  fathers  of  New- England,  on  principles  of  gen- 
uine Christianity,  have  lost  their  primitive  lustre. 

Others,  which  still  seem  to  stand  on  the  foundation 
of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  and  still  recognize  Jesus 
Christ,  in  his  divine  character,  as  their  chief  corner 
stone,  by  the  absence  of  divine  influence,  and  the 
agency  of  “ evil  men  and  seducers,”  have  fallen  into 
fatal  divisions ; and  have  been  rent  with  “ divers  and 
strange  doctrines.” 

Others,  which  are  reputed  sound  in  the  faith,  cast  off 
the  restraints  of  regular  discipline,  and  indulge  cor- 
ruptions in  morals,  which  are  a scandal  to  the  Christian 
name.  In  the  midst  of  all  our  light  and  privileges,  it 
is  not  to  be  dissembled  that  many  of  our  churches,  em- 
brace in  their  communion,  members  who  are  grossly 
heretical  in  sentiment,  and  in  practice  “ abominable, 
disobedient,  and  unto  every  good  work  reprobate.” 

How  is  the  success  of  the  gospel  marred  by  its 
treacherous,  timid,  slothful  professors  ! Point  me  to  a 
church,  formed  on  the  principles,  and  pervaded  by  the 
spirit  of  real  Christianity  ; and  I will  point  you  to  a 
church  which  is  “ beautiful  as  Tirzah,  comely  as  Jeru- 
salem, and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners.”  Satan’s 
kingdom  trembles  before  such  a church.  Impiety  is 
overawed  by  the  radiance  of  its  holy  example.  If  we 
wish  the  prosperity  of  religion,  we  shall  pray  that  the 
churches  may  be  established  in  the  faith  and  disci- 
pline of  the  gospel ; that  their  members  may  feel  a sa- 
cred regard  to  the  honor  of  the  Redeemer,  and  their 
own  covenant  vows  : and  that  God  may  be  glorified  in 
the  purity,  unity,  and  increase  of  Zion. 

2.  The  coming  of  Messiah’s  kingdom,  for  which  we 
are  to  pray,  implies  the  universal  spread  of  true  reli- 


6 


gion  among  mankind.  Limited,  as  our  attention  is  to 
a few  objects  around  us,  we  forget  the  great  family  of 
human  beings,  to  which  we  stand  related.  While  we 
are  blessed  with  the  best  means  of  intellectual  and 
moral  improvement,  while  we  have  Christian  sab- 
baths, and  Christian  ordinances,  multitudes  of  our 
race  have  no  such  blessings.  Even  in  Europe,  where 
the  light  of  science  and  Christianity  has  been  enjoyed, 
more  extensively  than  in  any  other  portion  of  the 
globe,  many  still  grope  in  Pagan  idolatry,  or  Papal  su- 
perstition. In  some  of  its  considerable  districts,  it  is 
affirmed  that  among  the  mass  of  the  inhabitants,  there 
is  not  one  Bible  to  five  hundred  families.  The  com- 
mon people  are  too  poor  to  purchase,  this  precious  book  ; 
and  if  purchased  are  too  ignorant  to  read  it. 

What  then  shall  I say  of  the  immense  multitudes  of 
Asia,  immersed  in  the  gloom  of  absolute  heathenism, 
or  blinded  by  the  no  less  fatal  delusions  of  the  Arabian 
Impostor  ? What  shall  I say  of  the  millions  that  over- 
spread the  vast  interior  of  Africa,  and  the  wide  exten- 
ded wilderness  of  North  and  South  America,  to  whom 
the  comforts  and  hopes  of  the  gospel  are  altogether 
unknown  ? I will  say  they  are  men , sprung  from  the 
same  stock,  polluted  with  the  same  depravity,  and  des- 
tined to  the  same  eternity  with  us.  Their  souls  arc 
immortal,  like  ours  ; and  like  ours,  must  be  ransomed 
by  an  interest  in  the  one  all-sufficient  atonement,  or 
perish  without  hope.  The  trump  of  God  will  awake 
them  from  the  dust  of  the  earth,  to  share  in  all  the  real- 
ities of  an  interminable  hereafter  ; to  mingle  in  the 
groans  of  the  damned,  or  in  the  shouts  of  victory  that 
shall  encircle  the  throne  of  the  Lamb.  He  that  has 
the  heart  of  a Christian,  must  desire  that  the  blessings 
of  the  gospel  may  be  coextensive  with  the  ruins  of  the 
fall.  His  benevolent  wishes  are  not  limited  to  the  in- 
gathering of  the  Gentiles.  In  faith  and  hope,  he  de- 
sires the  restoration  of  the  Jews,  who  were  so  signally 
rejected  for  their  unbelief ; and  who,  in  cheerful  alle- 
giance to  Messiah,  shall  hereafter  be  incorporated  into 
the  body  of  his  church.  Then  shall  there  be  one  uni- 


7 


ted,  happy  fold,  under  one  divine  shepherd.  This  il- 
lustrious triumph  of  true  religion  is  the  object  of  the 
prayer,  “ Thy  kingdom  come.” 

3.  As  Christ’s  kingdom  is  a kingdom  of  means , every 
prayer  for  its  prosperity,  is  a prayer  for  the  increase 
and  success  of  good  ministers.  The  clay  of  miracles 
is  past.  Though  the  head  of  the  church  is  not  depend- 
ent on  human  instruments,  he  is  pleased  to  use  them 
as  the  stated  medium  of  his  operation.  To  earthen 
vessels  the  treasure  of  his  truth  is  committed,  that  the 
excellency  of  the  power  might  appear  to  be  of  God, 
and  not  of  them.  If  the  gospel  be  preached  at  all,  it 
must  be  preached  by  men  ; but  what  men  ? Men  who 
arc  strangers  to  its  doctrines  and  its  spirit  ? Men  who 
engage  in  the  sacred  office  as  a mere  occupation  ; while 
they  cloak  the  vilest  insincerity  under  a fair  profession  ? 
Can  they  faithfully  teach  a religion  which  they  love  not, 
and  which  they  understand  not '?  Can  they  patiently  per- 
form its  services,  or  bear  its  cross  ? .No  reprobation  is 
too  severe  for  those  who  thus  prostitute  the  noblest  of 
all  employments.  That  they  will  do  good,  no  one  can 
expect  ; it  is  too  much  for  charity  to  hope  that  they 
will  not  do  immense  evil.  Open  hostility  is  more  hon- 
orable than  treacherous  friendship.  The  interests  of 
truth  can  be  promoted  only  by  the  aid  of  men  whose 
hearts  are  devoted  to  God,  and  warmed  by  the  influ- 
ence of  undissembled  piety.  The  exigencies  of  the 
church,  at  this  day,  call  for  the  services  of  men  in  the 
holy  ministry,  who  are  possessed  of  respectable  natu- 
ral talents,  improved  by  study,  and  associated  with  for- 
titude and  habitual  prudence.  In  no  other  employ- 
ment, is  there  so  much  occasion  for  stability  of  judg- 
ment, and  vigor  of  intellect.  Here  the  most  firm, 
active,  and  cultivated  powers  may  find  ample  room  for 
exercise.  But  if  these  arc  important  to  the  respecta- 
bility and  usefulness  of  public  teachers,  much  more 
is  soundness  of  faith. 

I know  it  as  an  opinion  of  some,  that  ministers  should 
have  no  established  sentiments,  or  at  least  should  preach 


8 


none,  as  essential  to  salvation.  But  shall  he  who  is 
commissioned  as  legate  of  the  eternal  king,  mutilate 
his  message  from  complaisance  to  the  pride  and  preju- 
dices of  the  world  ? Shall  he  confound  all  distinction 
betwixt  the  doctrines  of  Jesus  and  Plato  ; and  hope  to 
convert  men  to  holiness  by  accommodating  the  gos- 
pel to  their  sinful  hearts  ? No  : — Christianity  is  not 
any  thing,  or  nothing,  as  it  happens.  It  is  not  a reverie, 
nor  a whim  of  fancy.  It  is  a system  of  eternal  truth, 
built  on  principles  immutable  as  the  throne  of  God  : — 
principles,  that  will  stand  amidst  the  confusion  of  dis- 
solving worlds: — principles,  that  rebel  sinners  must 
embrace,  or  they  must  perish.  Experiment  has  pro- 
ved the  fact,  that  when  preachers  concede  the  funda- 
mental truths  of  this  religion  to  appease  the  carnal 
heart,  still  objections  multiply  upon  them.  When 
they  reduce  this  religion  to  an  accordance  with  the 
spirit  and  maxims  of  the  world,  they  and  their  preach- 
ing are  disowned  of  Christ. — The  naked  doctrines  of 
the  cross  are  the  “ power  of  God  unto  salvation,  to  ev- 
ery one  that  believeth.”  He  who,  like  Paul,  devotes 
his  life  to  the  preaching  of  these  doctrines,  deserves  to 
be  ranked  among  the  best  and  happiest  of  mortals.  In 
the  sublime  satisfaction  of  serving  the  cause  of  truth 
and  the  souls  of  men,  he  forgets  the  din  of  this  nether 
world.  Its  applause  and  its  censures  die  on  his  car. 
He  deems  the  pulpit  a more  honorable  place,  than  a 
throne  of  state.  Let  him  but  be  accounted  faithful  in 
feeding  Christ’s  sheep  and  lambs,  under  all  the  penu- 
ry and  trials  of  the  office,  he  envies  not  the  splendor 
of  wealth,  and  titles.  How  do  the  little  pageants  of 
this  little  world  fade  away  before  such  worth  of  char- 
acter ! The  fame  that  is  purchased  among  battles  and 
blood,  how  will  it  bear  a comparison  with  the  immor- 
tal honors  in  reserve  for  a Cary  or  a Van-Der-Kemp  ! 
What  a childish  thing  is  the  mausoleum  of  a Caesar, 
contrasted  with  the  tears  and  benedictions  shed  on  the 
humble  grave  of  David  Brainard  ! 

Such  are  the  men  whose  labors  may  be  expected  to 
aid  the  progress  of  true  religion.  But  such  laborers  are 


9 


few.  Pressing  cries  are  heard  from  the  infant -church- 
es of  the  wilderness,  and  from  many  of  the  older  set- 
tlements, for  Christian  pastors.  Where  shall  they  be 
found  ? Are  the  young  men  of  our  country  emulous 
to  share  in  ihe  labors  and  sufferings  of  the  ministry  ? 
With  few  exceptions,  they  are  devoted  to  pursuits  of 
earthly  emolument  or  ambition.  Look  to  our  colleges, 
and  you  shall  see  that  the  ablest  teachers,  and  the  best 
systems  of  scholastic  and  moral  instruction,  cannot 
produce  piety  of  heart.  Look  to  Christian  families, 
and  you  shall  see  that  grace  is  not  hereditary  : it  is  not 
transmitted  by  any  law  of  nature  or  Providence.  Who 
then  shall  raise  up  ministers  ? It  is  the  work  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  “ Pray  ye  therefore  the  Lord  of  the  har- 
vest, that  he  would  send  forth  laborers  into  his  har- 
vest.” Let  the  whole  church  awake,  and  present  be- 
fore the  throne  of  God  this  united  and  solemn  offering 
of  prayer.  Then  may  we  hope  to  see  the  dawn  of  that 
happy  day,  when  the  gospel  shall  be  preached  over  all 
the  earth. 

4.  The  outpouring  of  divine  influence  is  an  object 
of  special  desire  to  the  pious  heart,  as  being  essential 
to  the  prosperity  of  the  Redeemer’s  kingdom.  The 
most  powerful  and  well  directed  means  have  no  inde- 
pendent efficiency  to  sanctify  the  hearts  of  men.  Can 
the  most  faithful  preacher  convert  his  hearers  ? For 
such  a task  he  knows  himself  to  be  weakness,  worth- 
lessness, less  than  nothing.  Without  divine  influence, 
he  cannot  even  gain  their  serious  hearing,  though  he 
speaks  to  them  of  their  own  eternal  interests.  See 
with  what  affection  he  weeps  for  their  security,  in  secret 
places  ! With  what  solicitude  he  warns  them  in  the 
name  of  God  ! Still  they  slumber  on,  deaf  to  the  calls, 
and  blind  to  the  glory  of  the  gospel ; and  he  that  tells 
them  of  their  danger,  is  “ as  one  that  beateth  the  air.” 
Well  may  he  sit  down  despondent,  and  close  his  lips 
in  silence,  if  he  must  count  upon  human  wisdom  or 
strength  to  give  efficacy  to  the  truth  of  God.  The 
profound  talents,  learning,  piety,  and  eloquence  of  St. 
Paul,  could  not  convert  one  soul.  “ So  then,  neither  is 


10 


he  that  planteth  any  thing,  neither  he  that  watereth, 
but  God  that  giveth  the  increase.”  To  his  sovereign 
grace  ministers  must  look  for  success,  and  the  church 
for  enlargement.  Before  the  matchless  power  of  that 
grace,  every  obstacle  gives  way.  Votaries  of  wealth 
and  wickedness  leave  all  to  follow  Christ.  Anxious 
enquirers  for  the  way  of  salvation  crowd  his  temple 
gates.  Hoary  infidels  become  trembling  suppliants  at 
their  Saviour’s  feet ; and  the  tongues  of  veteran  blas- 
phemers learn  the  songs  of  Zion. 

Where  the  best  human  efforts  have  proved  ineffect- 
ual, if  God  is  but  pleased  to  pour  out  his  spirit,  what 
wonders  are  accomplished  ! Lo,  the  wilderness  is  trans- 
formed into  a fruitful  field  : the  barren  desert  becomes 
verdant  in  the  beauty  of  holiness  ! 

All  who  wish  to  see  religion  prosper,  will  unite  in 
the  prayer  that  divine  influences  may  “ come  down 
like  rain  upon  the  mown  grass  : as  showers  that  water 
the  earth.” 

Such  are  the  objects  implied  in  the  prayer  of  Chris- 
tians for  the  coming  of  Messiah’s  kingdom. 

It  remains  to  be  considered, 

II.  What  are  the  encouragements  to  such  prayer. 

These  are  to  be  drawn  from  the  past,  the  present, 
and  the  future.  It  might  suffice  to  say  that  what  God 
has  done,  is  ample  security  for  the  ultimate  and  com- 
plete success  of  his  cause.  The  church  has  lived 
through  many  a tempest.  Like  the  bush  in  Iloreb,  she 
has  been  often  seen  burning,  but  not  consumed.  The 
blood  of  her  sons  has  flowed  ; but  she  has  stood  firm, 
amidst  the  menaces  and  strokes  of  persecution  ; and 
with  renovated  strength,  has  come  up  from  the  wilder- 
ness, leaning  upon  her  beloved.  Having  omnipotence 
for  her  rereward,  she  has  stood  firm,  while  the  world 
has  been  overturned,  and  the  earth  rent  in  pieces,  and 
while  powerful  monarchies  have  threatened  to  crush  her 
in  their  fall.  Infidels  have  assailed  her  vital  interests, 
with  a confidence  no  less  presumptuous  than  impious. 


11 


She  has  planted  her  ensigns  of  victory  on  each  spot 
where  her  martyrs  have  bled.  She  has  seen  the  arm  of 
many  a Jeroboam  withered,  and  many  a Herod  smitten 
with  the  curse  of  heaven  for  disregarding  the  admoni- 
tion : “ Touch  not  mine  anointed,  and  do  my  proph- 
ets no  harm.”  Nay,  from  the  lips  of  many  a dying 
infidel  she  has  seen  extorted  a trembling  homage  to  the 
truth  of  the  gospel. 

If  the  past  furnishes  no  ground  of  despondence  to 
Christians,  fresh  encouragements  to  prayer,  are  to  be 
drawn  from  the  present  aspects  of  Providence.  We 
live  in  a period  of  wonderful  events.  We  have  seen 
the  missionary  flame,  which  commenced  in  Europe, 
kindle  across  continents  and  oceans,  till  the  same  holy 
fervor,  in  a good  degree,  warms  the  hearts  of  God’s 
people  on  every  side  of  the  globe.  We  have  seen  the 
Christian  world  awake  from  a slumber  of  two  thousand 
years,  to  a system  of  efforts,  for  the  revival  and  spread  of 
religion.  The  rapid  multiplication  of  missionary  soci- 
eties, praying  societies,  bible  societies,  associations  for 
the  distribution  of  religious  magazines  and  tracts,  and 
the  institution  of  charitable  female  societies,  to  aid  pious 
and  indigent  youths,  whose  hearts  are  devoted  to  the 
ministry,  constitute  an  epoch  in  Christendom  which 
will  be  memorable  forever.  The  angel,  seen  in  vision 
by  St.  John,  has  commenced  his  flight  “ in  the  midst  of 
heaven,  having  the  everlasting  gospel  to  preach  to  them 
that  dwell  on  the  earth.”  The  nineteenth  century  has 
commenced  with  splendid  prospects  of  success  in 
spreading  Christian  knowledge.  No  obstacles  are  in- 
superable to  that  ardent  zeal  which  has  animated  the 
prayers  and  labors  of  God’s  people  within  the  last 
fifteen  years.  Men  have  volunteered  with  the  spirit  of 
apostles  to  spend  and  be  spent  among  the  heathen.  Al- 
ready the  benighted  Asiatics  are  learning  to  read  the 
bible  : The  poor  Africans  are  beginning  to  speak  the 
name  of  Jesus,  and  to  trust  in  him  as  “ the  way,  the 
truth,  and  the  life  — And  the  Christian  of  Connecti- 
cut may  anticipate  the  transport  of  that  day  when  he 


12 


shall  meet  the  converted  Tartar  or  Hindoo  in  heaven, 
and  call  him  brother. 

In  our  own  country,  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  thou- 
sands have  become  heirs  of  eternal  glory,  as  the  fruits 
of  missionary  exertions.  These  may  be  instruments 
of  salvation  to  thousands  more.  Still  the  prospect 
"brightens  and  expands  before  us.  From  the  north,  the 
south  and  the  west,  tidings  of  joy  reach  our  ears  ; tri- 
umphs of  grace  are  multiplied  in  the  conversion  of 
sinners  ; Zion’s  king  lives,  and  walks  in  the  midst  of 
his  golden  candlesticks.  Can  our  hearts  fail  to  be 
warmed  with  these  reflections,  or  our  tongues  to  ex- 
claim, 44  It  is  the  Lord’s  doing,  and  marvellous  in  our 
eyes  ?”  The  promises  of  future  prosperity  to  the 
church  afford  no  less  encouragement  to  the  faith  and 
prayers  of  Christians.  With  the  bible  open  before  us, 
we  hesitate  not  to  say,  that  the  long  days  of  darkness 
which  have  passed  over  Zion,  will  be  succeeded  by 
the  universal  prevalence  of  light  and  holiness.  The 
truth  and  omnipotence  of  God  are  pledged  to  secure 
this  result.  YVe  know  of  whom  it  was  said,  “ In 
his  days  shall  the  righteous  flourish,  and  abundance  of 
peace,  so  long  as  the  moon  endureth.  He  shall  have 
dominion  also  from  sea  to  sea,  and  from  the  river  to 
the  ends  of  the  earth  ; yea,  all  kings  shall  fall  down 
before  him  ; all  nations  shall  serve  him.”  We  know 
what  kingdom  that  is,  which  the  God  of  heaven  has 
promised  to  set  up,  which  shall  never  be  destroyed. 
We  know  who  hath  given  the  assurance  : “ On  this 
rock  will  I build  my  church,  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall 
not  prevail  against  it.”  This  language  requires  no 
comment.  At  once  it  fortifies  the  Christian’s  heart, 
and  clothes  him  with  impenetrable  armor,  for  every 
conflict.  Through  the  medium  of  prophetic  revela- 
tion, he  looks  down  the  lapse  of  centuries  to  come,  and 
sees  every  idol  and  altar  of  the  heathen  world,  fall  be- 
fore the  majesty  of  divine  truth  ; Jews  and  infidels  pay 
their  homage  to  the  name  of  Jesus ; kings  “ bow  their 
sceptres  to  his  cross,  and  cast  their  crowns  at  his  feet.” 
O happy  period,  when  the  universal  spread  of  the  gos- 


13 


pel  shall  usher  in  the  illustrious  reign  of  Christ  ; and 
knowledge,  holiness,  truth,  and  peace  shall  pervade  the 
earth  ! 

Amidst  these  prospects,  what  can  appal  the  believ- 
er’s heart  ? Though  hosts  of  enemies,  many  and 
mighty,  encompass  the  beloved  city,  he  can  say  with 
firm  and  fearless  confidence,  “ They  that  be  With  us 
are  more  than  they  that  be  with  them.”  Though  the 
world  around  him  is  shaken  with  dire  confusion  ; tho* 
storms  of  sharp  distress  sweep  over  the  earth  ; no  tem- 
pests shake  his  repose.  While  earthly  thrones  totter, 
he  knows  that  Messiah’s  triumphant  throne  stand- 
eth  last  for  ever.  With  an  eye  of  faith  fixed  on  the 
king  of  Zion,  he  rises  among  surrounding  desolations 
and  exclaims,  “ The  Lord  pf  hosts  is  with  us  ; the  God 
of  Jacob  is  our  refuge.  Therefore  will  we  not  fear, 
though  the  earth  be  removed,  though  the  mountains 
be  carried  into  the  midst  of  the  sea,  though  the  waters 
thereof  roar  and  be  troubled  ; though  the  mountains 
shake  with  the  swelling  thereof.” 

My  Christian  brethren,  with  objects  so  momentous, 
and  encouragements  so  animating  before  us,  must  not 
each  of  our  hearts,  responsive  to  the  language  of  ancient 
piety,  say,  “If  I forget  thee,  O Jerusalem,  let  my  right 
hand  forget  her  cunning.  If  1 do  not  remember  thee, 
let  my  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth  ; if  I 
prefer  not  Jerusalem  above  my  chief  joy.” 

Every  man  and  every  woman  that  can  pray,  may  be 
instrumental  of  much  good.  The  spirit  of  missions 
that  pervades  Christendom,  perhaps,  commenced  in 
the  closet  of  some  humble  saint,  like  Simeon  and  An- 
na of  old,  praying  to  God  alvvay  and  waiting  for  the 
consolation  of  Israel.  If  the  effectual,  fervent  prayer 
of  one  righteous  man  availeth  much  ; what  might  not 
be  expected  from  the  prayers  of  the  -whole  church  uni- 
ted ? He  that  prays  not  for  the  prosperity  of  religion, 
is  a stranger  to  its  spirit  and  its  comforts.  He  de- 
serves not  even  the  name  of  a Christian.  But  what 
avail  our  prayers,  if  not  attended  by  correspondent  ef- 


14 


forts  ? What  avails  the  mere  offering  of  the  lips,  if  the 
hands  are  folded,  and  the  heart  slumbers  in  death-like 
indifference  ? Such  prayers  are  but  the  keen  rebuke  of 
our  own  lukewarmness.  That  religion  which  consists 
in  cold  professions  is  a dream.  Our  Master  accepts 
not  of  empty  vows.  He  claims  our  souls.  He  claims 
our  services.  He  summons  us  to  the  field,  and  re- 
quires the  vigorous  employment  of  all  our  faculties. 
He  calls  us  to  prove  our  love  by  sacrifices,  our  loyalty 
by  obedience.  Much  remains  to  be  done  for  a world 
lying  in  wickedness.  Eighteen  centuries  have  passed 
away  since  Emmanuel  bled  on  the  hill  of  Calvary  ; and 
yet  more  than  half  our  perishing  race  have  never  heard 
of  his  name.  According  to  respectable  estimate, 
more  than  three  hundred  millions  of  Pagans  inhabit 
our  own  continent*.  To  send  the  means  of  salvation  to, 
at  least,  some  of  these  is  an  object  worthy  of  great  ef- 
forts. Christians  ! we  ask  you  to  commiserate  the  de- 
plorable state  of  these  your  fellow  creatures.  We  ask 
you  to  remember  too  your  fellow  citizens,  neighbors, 
kindred, — removed  to  the  wilderness,  cut  off  from  reli- 
gious privileges,  and  in  danger  of  sinking  into  aggra- 
vated heathenism. 

Men  of  wealth  ! we  solicit  your  aid  to  furnish  bibles 
and  Christian  teachers  to  those  who  are  perishing 
through  lack  of  knowledge.  Will  you  lend  to  the  Lord 
a portion  of  your  earthly  substance,  for  so  divine  a pur- 
pose ? 

Fathers  and  mothers  in  Israel!  we  ask  your  help. 
Will  you  give  up  your  sons  to  the  glorious  work  of 
the  Christian  ministry?  We  know  that  this  work  has 
peculiar  trials.  It  holds  out  no  prospects  of  temporal 
fame  or  emolument.  But  to  those  who  love  the  Lord 
Jesus  and  the  souls  of  men,  it  holds  out  the  promise 
of  an  immortal  crown.  “ The  harvest  truly  is  plenteous, 

* In  the  hum’  of  preparing  this  sermon,  the  above  statement  was  ta- 
ken from  Dr.  Carey’s  list  of  the  heathen,  published  in  the  year  1792.  On 
examination,  the  writer  is  satisfied  that  it  is  considerably  overrated. 
The  exact  number,  however,  cannot  be  ascertained,  nor  is  it  at  all  essen- 
tial to  tlie  nature  of  the  duty  in  question. 


15 


but  the  laborers  arc  few.”  Two  thousand  ministers, 
probably,  are  this  moment  needed  to  supply  the  vacant 
churches  in  the  old  and  new  settlements  of  our  coun- 
try. When  shall  they  find  pastors  to  feed  them  with 
the  bread  of  life,  and  lead  them  to  heaven  ! Would  to 
God  that  there  were  more  praying  Elkanahs  and  Han- 
nahs ; that  there  might  be  more  young  Samuels  devo- 
ted to  this  noblest  and  best  of  all  employments.  Oh, 
when  will  the  friends  of  the  Redeemer  feel  this  subject 
as  they  ought  ! When  will  their  hearts  unite  as  the 
heart  of  one  man  ; and  their  prayers  of  faith  meet  at 
the  throne  of  grace  for  an  increase  of  good  ministers  ! 
Then  will  the  Lord  hearken  and  save  his  heritage  from 
desolation.  Then  will  more  showers  of  grace  descend 
upon  our  colleges  ; and  more  schools  of  the  prophets 
arise,  to  furnish  messengers  of  salvation,  to  perishing 
sinners.  Then  shall  they  that  hunger  for  the  bread  of 
life  be  fed,  and  the  infant  churches  sing,  “ How  beau- 
tiful upon  the  mountains  are  the  feet  of  him  that  bring- 
eth  good  tidings  !” 

I say  again,  the  kingdom  of  Christ  is  a kingdom  of 
vxeans.  Let  his  followers  awake  to  a vigorous  use  of 
these  means,  and  the  world  will  see  such  churches, 
and  such  pastors,  as  will  exhibit  the  majesty  of  true 
religion.  They  will  see  the  militant  host  of  Emmanuel 
become  invincible.  They  will  see  the  church  “ raise 
her  fainting  head  at  the  voice  of  her  divine  Leader, — 
rally  her  broken  ranks  around  his  cross,  and  march  to 
a warfare  worthy  of  her  Lord.”  Then  shall  the  prayers 
and  tears  of  Zion  be  succeeded  by  songs  of  joy,  and 
heaven  and  earth  unite  to  hail  the  day  when  the  king- 
doms of  this  world  are  become  the  kingdom  of  our 
Lord  and  his  Christ. 

“ Ye  that  make  mention  of  the  Lord,  keep  not  si- 
lence ; and  . give  him  no  rest,  till  he  establish,  and  till 
he  make  Jerusalem  a praise  in  the  earth.”  Amen. 


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